Chapter 23: Gambling Life Against Life (Part 1)
Hua Zhi walked to the window, where the moisture-laden breeze dissipated the last traces of summer heat, bringing her considerable comfort.
Unfortunately, this night was destined to offer no such ease.
Her gaze fell upon the courtyard, and she immediately gasped softly, "Bao Xia, look quickly—what is that?"
Bao Xia followed her young mistress’s pointing finger. She wanted to scream, to rouse all the servants to protect the lady, but Hua Zhi tightened her grip on Bao Xia’s hand and shook her head slightly. Swallowing hard, Bao Xia suppressed the urge and whispered, "This maid will go check."
"It looks like something fell over there. I’ll go take a look too."
"Please don’t, young mistress. It’s late, and the damp might harm you."
"I can’t sleep anyway. It’s fine."
Bao Xia shook her head desperately, tears scattering with the motion, and blocked the way, refusing to let her mistress step out.
Hua Zhi gently touched her pale cheek and silently mouthed, "Trust me."
Under normal circumstances, Bao Xia would believe her—she believed every word her young mistress said. But this was different. No matter how capable Hua Zhi was, how could she contend with an intruder that even the household guards couldn’t handle? Those guards now lay unconscious, their fates unknown. In brute strength alone, Hua Zhi was no match. How could Bao Xia stand by and watch her walk right into the villain’s sight?
Biting her lip, Bao Xia turned to rush outside. One shout from her would wake everyone—surely that was better than letting her young mistress face danger alone.
Hua Zhi grabbed her firmly, a stern look in her eyes that made Bao Xia lower her head, tears still streaming.
Time was of the essence. Hua Zhi could delay no longer. She stepped past Bao Xia, heading for the door. There was no doubt the intruder was watching her room. If they aroused suspicion, they would all be like fish on a chopping block.
Bao Xia hurried ahead, wiped her tears, straightened her back, took a few deep breaths, grabbed an umbrella, and opened the door. Fearing Bao Xia might give them away, Hua Zhi quickly followed.
"Young mistress, let me check. Don’t come out—the rain is still heavy."
Hearing Bao Xia’s voice, steady as ever, Hua Zhi relaxed slightly and replied, "Alright, be careful."
As Bao Xia stepped into the rain, Hua Zhi crossed the threshold.
How could she not go out?
Only by showing herself could she lure the villain into making a move. Fighting in a cramped room would put her at a disadvantage.
Moreover, she needed to create a commotion to wake everyone. Chaos would provide cover, and escaping amid the confusion would be a feat—far better than being killed in their sleep.
Standing under the eaves where she could almost touch the falling rain, Hua Zhi wore the guileless expression of a sheltered young lady from a noble family. Her nerves were taut, senses alert to her surroundings. Almost instantly, she caught the scent of blood—not from the figures in the courtyard, but from behind her.
Just as Bao Xia’s scream pierced the air, Hua Zhi was seized from behind. She screamed too, and though her mouth was quickly covered, the effect had already been achieved.
Soon, lamps were lit inside, and people rushed out, some barely dressed.
"Young mistress!" Nian Qiu and Fu Dong were terrified at the sight. The three guards on shift exchange uneasy glances, uncertain how to handle the situation.Bao Xia threw aside her umbrella and ran toward her young lady. "What do you want? Let go of my young lady at once!"
"Stop right there! If anyone takes half a step closer, I'll scar this face first!"
No one dared to move.
Hua Zhi appeared utterly terrified, weeping with delicate sobs. Even Bao Xia, who knew her young lady was pretending, felt her heart ache at the sight—let alone the others.
All those Hua Zhi had brought with her had served her for many years. The longer they had been with her, the more they knew how kind their young lady truly was. Not a single one of them thought of hiding to protect themselves; instead, they all revealed their faces openly. Liu Xiang, her face deathly pale, even pulled open her collar to expose her snow-white collarbone, hoping to distract the assailant.
The assailant remained silent for a while. Before long, Hua Zhi distinctly felt him relax slightly. Indeed, none of these people posed any threat to him.
Holding Hua Zhi, he turned and retreated toward the house. The maids were frantic, on the verge of tears. If their young lady were left alone with the assailant, even if she were rescued later, her reputation would be ruined!
Fortunately, the assailant also feared being trapped inside. After stepping over the threshold, he went no further. Once he confirmed no one was hiding in the room and there was no risk of an ambush, he relaxed a little more.
"Bring me some food. If any of you dare try anything…"
Fu Dong, her legs weak, hurried toward the small kitchen. Bao Xia didn’t dare approach either, kneeling in the rain and pleading tearfully, "Please, let my young lady go, I beg you."
The other maids knelt as well, weeping and begging pitifully.
Suppressing the ache in her heart, Hua Zhi timidly revealed her identity, "I... I am the Hua family’s legitimate daughter. If... if you let me go, the Hua family will spare you. Otherwise... they won’t let you get away with this."
"The Hua family?" The man sneered maliciously. "What is there to fear from a family that’s been disgraced and exiled? How will you make me pay? All of you, shut up! If you keep making noise, I’ll start with your young lady."
The courtyard fell silent at once, with only the sound of pattering rain remaining.
Fu Dong came over with a bowl of porridge—the very one kept warm on the stove for the young lady’s breakfast the next morning. Selfishly, she had only filled it halfway. Gritting her teeth, she mustered her courage and approached.
"Put it on the threshold and step back."
Fu Dong paused, the knife hidden in her sleeve nearly slipping from her grasp.
Hua Zhi’s heart leaped, and she suddenly cried out louder, sobbing as she called, "Fu Dong!"
Instinctively, Fu Dong looked up. Though her young lady was weeping, there were no tears in her eyes, and her gaze held a warning. Strangely reassured, Fu Dong obediently placed the porridge on the threshold and backed away step by step.
"So the mighty Hua family has truly fallen," the assailant sneered disdainfully at the bowl of porridge. Despite his contempt, he bent down to pick it up. Feeling the warmth of the bowl, a flicker of delight crossed his face—his body desperately needed something warm to eat.
In that moment of satisfaction, his grip loosened slightly.
Hua Zhi would not let such an opportunity slip. With all the speed and strength she could muster, she drove the silver hairpin she had been clutching into the exposed side of the man’s neck.
That a woman who had been weeping moments before would dare attack him was the last thing the man expected. By the time he reacted, it was too late. A sharp pain shot through the left side of his neck, and his reflexive strike met empty air—the woman had ducked and rolled away, freeing herself from his grasp.
"Young lady!"
"Get back!" Hua Zhi commanded sharply. Though her breathing was rapid, not a trace of her earlier timidity remained on her face.Bao Xia wanted to rush forward but was tightly held back by Fu Dong, who had retreated to her side. They couldn't afford to be a burden at this critical moment, yet she couldn't stand by doing nothing. Knowing her young lady had already seen through her intention, she slid the fruit-cutting knife she usually kept hidden in her sleeve toward Hua Zhi's feet, shouting loudly, "Young lady, at your feet!"
Hearing Fu Dong's voice, Hua Zhi immediately understood the situation. Following the sound, she grasped the knife in her hand, feeling somewhat more assured.
PS: Dear readers, your affection leaves Kongkong unable to repay you personally, so I can only update more frequently. There will be a third update today. (Slap! Kongkong holds back tears and slaps herself - with so few saved chapters left, how dare I act so generous! Serves me right to be driven mad by updates!)
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